Islamique Antiques

Description

Extremely Rare
Autographed Signed Letter
Samuel Cunliffe Lister
1893

This is a unique manuscript in the form of a letter from Lord Masham to Sir Albert William Woods (1816-1904) who was Garter Principal King of Arms to Queen Victoria.

It is an intriguing piece of history as it appears Lord Masham was expecting the communication about his Peerage to contain the signature of Queen Victoria instead of an impressed seal. It appears that this might be a ‘tongue in cheek’ comment as it seems to express some disappointment at the absence of Her Majesties signature! Not only is this document on his personal stationery, the subject of the letter is also very interesting.

Samuel Cunliffe Lister purchased the estate of Swinton Park in Masham during 1888 so this letter would have been written just five years after he moved there and when he was aged 78 years. He was given the title “1st Baron Masham” and this letter refers to the official document that confers that title to him.

Please see the whole letter typeset as follows:-

[Swinton]
[Masham]
[Yorkshire]
May 26th 1893


Dear Sir Albert Woods

I have been away from home but on my return last night I found that the Patent of Peerage had arrived quite safely, & my to thank you for sending it.

I had thought “Under the Sign Manual” meant the Queen’s signature, but I see that it only means the impression of the great seal.

Believe me
Yours sincerely
S. C. Lister

---------------------------------------------------

The address “Swinton Masham Yorkshire” is ‘blindstamped” which means that it is pressed into the paper with the letters raised from the surface without any ink.

There is a beautiful full watermark in the front part of the letter:
“BASKERVILLE
VELLUM WOVE”

This historic document measures 15cm x 10cm when folded as issued.
Opened up it measures 20cm x 10cm.

It is in very good condition with some slight fading and minor traces of tape from mount adhering on the blank back page.

Please note that insured postage is included in the price for the UK.